In flyweight action at UFC Argentina, Alexandre Pantoja got the job done early, submitting Japan’s Ulka Sasaki within the first round. But despite making a big callout after the fight, will there be a division left for him to compete in next year?
Japan’s Ulka Sasaki made the long, arduous trek to South America for UFC Argentina on Saturday night. There, the flyweight took on Alexandre Pantoja in preliminary card action, in what could turn out to be one of the final 125lb contests in the UFC, given the uncertainty over the division’s future.
The pair started out trading off the opening bell, with Pantoja going to the ground in an arm-bar attempt. Pantoja transitioned to a triangle, then back to an arm-bar attempt. Sasaki stepped over, but was still stuck in that position, Pantoja’s legs scissored in place. Soon Sasaki would free himself, only to have Pantoja take his back alongside the fence. Getting his arm under the neck, it wasn’t long before Pantoja forced the tap!
Take a bow!
🇧🇷 @PantojaMMA makes QUICK work on the ground at #UFCArgentina. pic.twitter.com/JsVF64WujC
— UFC (@ufc) November 18, 2018
Pantoja called out Joseph Benavidez after the fight — though Benavidez is currently scheduled to compete against Alex Perez at The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale later in the month.
Alexandre Pantoja def. Ulka Saski by submission, Round 1, 2:18
